The Rican Lab

06/13/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

If your Puerto Rican abuela says she’s not hungry… don’t believe her. 😂

One minute she’s “just sitting with you,” the next minute half your plate has mysteriously disappeared. Scientists still can’t explain this phenomenon. 🇵🇷🐸

Tag the family member who always says they’re not hungry but somehow ends up eating everyone else’s food! 👇

😂🇵🇷🐸

06/13/2026

🚨 WARNING: Viewing this post may cause sudden diet cancellation.
One minute you're meal prepping chicken and salad... the next you're ordering empanadas, rellenos, pernil, arroz con gandules, and all the good stuff. 😅
❤️ Diet starts tomorrow... maybe.

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

🧭 GPS: "Turn left in 500 feet."
🇵🇷 Me: "I can't. The empanada is in my right hand."

Some decisions in life are difficult...

This isn't one of them. 😎🥟

If you're holding a fresh, hot empanada from The Rican Lab, everything else can wait a minute.

Who else has had their entire day improve after the first bite of an empanada? 👇😂

Tag your empanada-loving friends and let us know your favorite filling!

06/11/2026

🇵🇷🔥 SETTLE THE DEBATE! 🔥🇵🇷
Forget politics.
Forget sports.
Forget everything else.
We're asking the REAL hard-hitting question...
🥟 EMPANADA
OR
🍠 ALCAPURRIA DE YUCA
You can only grab one first. Which one is it?
Drop your answer in the comments and defend your choice! 👇😆
(And no, "both" is cheating... or is it? 🤔)
or ?

06/11/2026

🎉🚚 DURHAM, WE'RE COMING YOUR WAY! 🇵🇷🔥
Join The Rican Lab at Durham Foodie Fare this Friday for an evening full of amazing food, great vibes, and authentic Puerto Rican flavor!
Come hungry and treat yourself to your favorites:
🥟 Empanadas
🥔 Rellenos de Papa
🍠 Alcapurria de Yuca
🍖 Pernil
🍚 Arroz con Gandules
🍗 Chicharrones de Pollo
🍌 Sweet Plantains
❤️ And so much more!
📍 Durham Central Park
📍 501 Foster St, Durham
📅 Friday, June 12
⏰ 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Grab your friends, bring the family, and enjoy a beautiful evening in downtown Durham while supporting local food vendors. We can't wait to make your mouth happy! Durham Central Park

06/10/2026

This week we'll be at the following locations:

🗓 Thu 5pm-7pm @ Gather Station (1900 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd, New Hill)
🗓 Fri 5:30pm-9:30pm @ Durham Foodie Fare (501 Foster St, Durham)
🗓 Sat 5pm-10pm @ Cary Night Market (327 S Academy St, Cary)
🗓 Wed 11am-8pm @ Haymount Truck Stop (100 Broadfoot Ave, Fayetteville)

See our full schedule at https://streetfoodfinder.com/thericanlab

06/10/2026

🇵🇷 FUQUAY-VARINA... WE'RE BACK! 🇵🇷
It's been way too long, and we can't wait to see our hometown again! ❤️
Join us today at Tractor Supply in Fuquay-Varina from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM for all your Puerto Rican favorites made fresh and served with love.
🔥 Today's Special: 6/10
🥟 Empanadas 3 for $15
(Excludes Apple Empanadas)
Come grab some:
✅ Pernil
✅ Empanadas
✅ Arroz con Gandules
✅ Rellenos de Papa
✅ Chicharrones de Pollo
✅ Alcapurria de Yuca
✅ And more!
Bring your family, tell your friends, and stop by for a delicious dinner. We can't wait to catch up with our Fuquay customers and make your mouth happy! 😋
📍 Tractor Supply – Fuquay-Varina
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
🇵🇷🥟🔥

06/10/2026

🇵🇷 FUQUAY-VARINA... WE'RE BACK! 🇵🇷
It's been way too long, and we can't wait to see our hometown again! ❤️
Join us today at Tractor Supply in Fuquay-Varina from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM for all your Puerto Rican favorites made fresh and served with love.
🔥 Today's Special:
🥟 Empanadas 3 for $15
(Excludes Apple Empanadas)
Come grab some:
✅ Pernil
✅ Empanadas
✅ Arroz con Gandules
✅ Rellenos de Papa
✅ Chicharrones de Pollo
✅ Alcapurria de Yuca
✅ And more!
Bring your family, tell your friends, and stop by for a delicious dinner. We can't wait to catch up with our Fuquay customers and make your mouth happy! 😋
📍 Tractor Supply – Fuquay-Varina
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
🇵🇷🥟🔥

06/10/2026

🇵🇷 Every Puerto Rican Abuela Ever…

You spend 10 minutes carefully making your plate.

Then Abuela looks at it like you’re preparing for a famine.

“That’s all you’re eating?”
“Take more rice.”
“Take more meat.”
“You look skinny.”

Five minutes later she’s adding food to your plate whether you asked for it or not. 🤣

If you’ve ever been personally victimized by a Puerto Rican grandmother who thinks you’re starving, leave a ❤️ in the comments.

🇵🇷😂